Building Program

There is a question that I hear in many different forms just about every week. It goes something like this. Do you have land or building? Meaning do you own or have you picked out a building or land you want to build on. It's interesting how quickly a conversation about church planting goes to a physical building.

Lifepont will probably build a building and buy land someday. However, we are in a building program. We are building and reaching people. I have to say this conversation scares me. The frequency that this topic comes up concerns me for this reason. Is our mission people or a building? I'm afraid a tool (building) has become identified as our mission. This is our mission. There are two reasons we aren't spending all our time looking to buy a building and land.

1. We want to be focused on people.
That doesn't mean a church building a building isn't focused on people. But in our context I want all of our thoughts, prayers, energy, and intensity ( I love that word) focused on Jesus and what he has called us to do - reach people.

2. It isn't necessary.
f you can lease a building for a reasonable rate why commit a new church to $400,000+ in debt.

Please don't misunderstand me. I'm for building a building and filling it up. I just don't know how wise it is to spend the resources of 20 people on a building at the beginning.

Children's Ministry Team

I had a meeting with our children's ministry team last week. I was sitting around our kitchen table with our 3 lead teachers. Each teacher will lead in one of our children's environments during our Sunday morning service. One thing I hadn't thought about until that moment was each person's training.

• Nursery Environment - Teacher has a degree in psychology and currently works for the department of human services

• Preschool Environment - Teacher is a registered nurse.

• Elementary School Environment - Teacher is a public school teacher.

The Equipment Challenge

One of the many challenges of church planting is equipment. Just to compile a list of equipment is a significant task. Then when it comes to finding, purchasing, or borrowing the equipment it becomes even more difficult. Here is list of the equipment list we have put together. The way we put this list together was to think through the 3 environments we would need supplies for and list the equipment needed to make that area work.

I also made this list a google doc. This was Jimmy Hammond's idea - and a good one. That way anyone can see the list, make a suggestion, or buy any piece of equipment for Lifepoint. If you want to see it online click here. I also used a great online resource that can be found at church planting solutions. They have a comprehensive sample list of equipment in an excel spread sheet you can download - quality.

You may wonder why some items are underlined and others aren't. That my friend is my complicated tracking system. If it is underlined we have it. If it isn't underlined we need it.

• WORSHIP
  • Music Stands
  • Instruments
  • Sound system (Bose L1)
  • (2) wireless handheld microphones
  • (2)mic stands
  • (1) mixer
  • cables
  • Podium/Teaching Table
  • Offering bags/buckets
  • Software – ProPresenter
  • iMac

• CONNECTION
  • Sign/Banner
  • Coffee Maker
  • Cold Drink Pitchers
  • Coffee cups and lids (Paper and foam)
  • Stirs
  • Napkins
  • Plastic ware
  • Paper towels
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Extension Cords and power strips
  • Trash Cans
  • Bulletins
  • Tablecloths (at least three black sheets)

• CHILDREN
  • Nursery (Birth – 2yrs) Sign in system
    • Sign/banner designating area
    • Doorway Gate
    • Portable Crib (Thank you South Lakewood Ladies' Auxiliary)
    • Exersaucer (Loaned by Greggs)
    • Bouncy Seat (Loaned by Greggs)
    • Folding Rocker/camping kind
    • Changing pad for table
    • Infant toys (Loaned by Greggs)
    • Disinfectant wipes (to clean toys each week
    • Baby Wipes
    • Package of diapers
    • Burp cloths (Thank you Hammonds)
    • Blankets (Loaned by Hammonds)
    • Swing (Loaned by Hammonds)
    • Diaper bags (to put diapers in)
    • Tissues
    • Snacks (goldfish, cheerios, etc)

• Sand Box (3 yrs – Pre-K) (Many of these items are being purchased by the Ladies' Auxiliary at Landmark MBC in Vian, OK)
• Sign/banner designating area
• Doorway gate
• Crayons (Thank you Carol Calvert)
• Glue sticks
• Glue bottles
• White paper
• Construction paper
• Scissors (for adults)
• Hole puncher
• Stapler
• Scotch tape
• Masking tape
• Carpet
• Small Paper Cups
• Tissues
• Curriculum
• Bibles
• Games and puzzles
• Coloring /puzzle pages
• Blocks (Wooden, and Lego)

• Tree House (K-5^th Grade) (Many of these items are being purchased by the Ladies' Auxiliary at Landmark MBC in Vian, OK)
• Sign/banner designating area
• Crayons (Thank you Judy Treat)
• Glue sticks
• Glue bottles
• White paper
• Construction paper
• Scissors (for adults)
• Scissors (for kids)
• Hole puncher
• Stapler
• Scotch tape
• Masking tape
• Curriculum
• Bibles

• Miscellaneous Supplies
• Walkie Talkies (Thank you Treats and Mitchells)
• Spare batteries for walkie talkies
• Clipboards (to put sign in sheets on)
• Security Cards for each class
• Lanyards with each leader (name and picture ids)
• Check-In System For Children’s Areas (Manual or computer program)
• Signs
• Inside
• Outside
• Background Check Sheet for all volunteers working in children’s areas
• Different colored bins for worship, hospitality, and children’s equipment

Random Thoughts Today

• Collin went to his first day of pre-school.  He did awesome.  He was brave.  He had fun.  I missed him.  How can he be going to pre-school?  A few short years ago he couldn't walk, talk, eat, or get dressed.  He needed me for everything. 

• I worked on handbooks for our parents and volunteers in our children's environments today.  Can't wait until we are using them. 

• Found and bought a 6' x 12' enclosed trailer today.  South Lakewood voted to buy it.  I am so thankful for such a great sending church.
  

• I've been developing a teaching calendar for 2008.  Planning is hard work.  
  

• Jimmy and has been working on graphics for banners we will use in the 6th Grade Center.  Every time he thinks it's finished I find one more thing to change.  I think if I do it one more time he may hunt me down and hurt me. 
  

• I love that Barry and Chrystal have moved in next door. 

• I can't wait until February 10th.  
  

Ministry Teams

We have created 3 teams that will serve our church in these strategic areas.

• Worship Team
• Connections Team
• Children's Team

I am a fan of of the terminology "team" instead of "committee." There are some different associations with these two words. When I think of committee I think title. I don't think action. When I think team I think of a group of people working together (or serving together) getting things done. When I think of committee I think of management. When I think of team I think results.

Besides it would just sound weird if I rooted for my favorite baseball, football, or basketball committee.

Big News

We have a place for our Sunday Worship Service!! We have considered many different options and have ultimately chosen to meet in the Owasso Public School's 6th Grade Center (I think this is the newest building in the school system). Here is what we have and what it will look like.

Cafeteria - 4200 Square feet

We will convert the cafeteria into our corporate worship area.

3 Classrooms - 2500 Square feet each. We will use these for our children's area.

1 will serve as our nursery

1 will serve as The Sand Box (3 year olds - Pre-K)

1 will serve as The Tree House (K - 5th Grade)

Here are some advantages of leasing the 6th Grade Center

• We will meet in a building that is familiar to our community.
  
• The cost will be around $1000 - 1300/month. This price includes janitorial service and utility costs.
  
• By leasing, we can focus on people instead of focusing on building a building. We will be able to focus our efforts and finances on outreach.
  
• We will be meeting in a building many people have been in before. There will be a familiarity that hopefully will help people get to one of our services.
  
• Hopefully this will be the beginning of a positive relationship with our school system and with our city.
  
• Location: The 6th Grade Center is between 76th St. N. and 86th St. N. on 129th. It is easily accessible on a main street.
  

Here is an updated schedule of when we hope to get started:

• January 20- Practice run through. Set up and tear down all equipment. Make sure everyone knows where they are serving and when.
  
  
• February 10 - Preview Servie #1

• March 2 - Preview Service #2

• March 23 - Launch (Easter) - We will meet weekly after launch.
  

Our New Neighbors

A new family moved into the house next door to us tonight. I knew who they were before they moved in. I even knew they were making an offer on the house. It just so happens my new neighbors are members of Lifepoint. Some people already know but Barry and Chrystal Antao have bought the house next door to us.

It is very interesting what God has done in this situation. Barry and Chrystal committed themselves to moving to Owasso several months ago (something they didn't necessarily have to do because they owned a home in Broken Arrow - a 30 minute drive to Owasso). A few months ago they put their house on the market. It sold almost immediately and they had to be out of their home the week before Christmas. The only problem was they looked and looked in Owasso but couldn't find a house to buy, so they have been living with Chrystal's parents.

During this time we had an ice storm in Owasso. After the storm Marnie, Collin, and I along with the rest of our neighborhood, were cleaning up our yards. Marnie had the chance to meet and talk to our next door neighbors. They told her they wouldn't be our neighbors for long because they were moving. We didn't think much about it at the time but we new the Antaos were still looking for a house. We told Barry that our neighbors would probably be moving and the house might go up for sale. Barry and Chrystal were interested and asked us to talk to our neighbors and get some more information.

Well, for weeks we couldn't catch them but finally Marnie was able to talk to our neighbor and he told her they were already moved but weren't necessarily in a hurry to sell. Marnie told him we had some friends who were looking for a house in Owasso and they might be interested. He gave Marnie his phone number and told her to have Barry call if he was interested. That was Tuesday. During the next 3 days, Barry and Chrystal looked at the house, made an offer, and began moving in. God is awesome.

Sometimes I use the phrase "doing life together" - meaning we are also a church outside the context of of a worship service. I knew Barry and Chrystal believed this but I think they are taking it to a whole new level :o).

Trip To Frisco

I just dropped Jimmy off at his house. We made a trip to Frisco, Texas today. We went to pick up 2 bose sound sticks. Jimmy found them on craigslist.com. Now if we could find a cheap cargo trailer to carry them in :o)

Yes, I am still mourning the 20 point loss of my Sooners in the Fiesta Bowl.

2007 In Review

2007 has been a year of changes for my family. We are now living in a new city, planting a new church. Here are some of the highlights.

• Met With Gary Woodard, Pastor of South Lakewood BC about planting a church In Owasso, Oklahoma.
• The Hammonds, Marnie and I attended Churchplanters.com Conference. First conference Marnie and I have been able to attend together. Great trip and amazing conference.
• I preached at South Lakewood BC for the first time. I was invited to present the vision for a new church in Owasso. I shouldn't have been nervous but it was my home church. When God was calling me to preach, that pulpit was somewhere I never thought I could stand.
• I was invited to help write a new church evangelism resource for the Baptist Bookstore .
• South Lakewood voted to be my sending church and plant Lifepoint Baptist Church in Owasso, Oklahoma.
• Started meeting once a month with our launch team. God brought a group of families together that were willing to sell houses, and move to Owasso to launch Lifepoint. I am so thankful and humbled by their commitment and vision.
• Attended my last Sunday as a staff member at Concord MBC. It was very sad but a special day for us. We miss our friends in Norman.
• Marnie, Collin and I had a blast at Teen Camp at Cedar Hills Campground. I preached during the evening services.
• Traveled thousands of miles as we presented the vision for a new church in Owasso in over 50 churches, 3 states, and 2 local associational meetings.
• Marnie and I celebrated 8 years of marriage. I couldn't make it without her. I can't believe she said yes!!
• Jimmy and I drove to Atlanta and attended the Catalyst Conference.
• Collin turned 4. We had a sweet birthday party at a zoo in Norman. He got to pet a kangaroo, hedgehog, and a snake. There were some geese roaming around that brought back some bad "when geese attack" memories, but I did my best not to look scared.
• Moved into our new house in Owasso.
• Started meeting every Wednesday with our launch team.
• No major travel for Christmas this year. We usually travel across Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee. It was nice to stay home. Everyone came to us (well, almost everyone)

Favorite Books Of 2007

Here is a list of some of my favorite books I read in 2007. These aren't in any particular order. I do not agree with everything in each book but they challenged, taught, and stretched me in some way.

• Planting Missional Churches by Ed Stetzer
  
• Go Big by Bill Easum and Bil Cornelius
  
• Visioneering by Andy Stanley
  
• High Expectations by Thom S. Rainer
  
• Simple Church by Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger
  
• Strategic Outreach by Ed Stetzer & Eric Ramsey
  
• Making Vision Stick by Andy Stanley
  
• Launch by Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas